PROVIDENCE – Gas prices in the Ocean State dropped 1 cent this week after breaking five consecutive weeks of increases last week with a 3 cent decline, AAA Southern New England reported Monday.

The cost of self-serve, unleaded regular averaged $3.79 per gallon in the Ocean State – down 1 cent from last week, but up 4 cents over the month – according to the trade group’s weekly survey of Rhode Island’s pump prices.

Rhode Island’s price is currently 9 cents greater than the $3.70 national average for a gallon of self-pump, regular unleaded.

AAA recommended drivers shop around for the best deal, as prices ranged 33 cents from $3.65 to $3.98 for a gallon of unleaded regular.

This week, pump prices varied from $3.96 per gallon for midgrade to $4.08 for premium unleaded and $4.19 for diesel. A year ago, gas in the Ocean State cost an average $3.81 for a gallon of regular unleaded.

Gas prices in Massachusetts dropped 3 cents this week to $3.70 per gallon, the same as the national average, according to AAA.

Bay State gas prices ranged from $3.89 per gallon for midgrade unleaded to $4.01 for premium and $4.15 for diesel. A year ago at this time, the Massachusetts average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas was $3.72.

The average nationwide cost for self-serve, regular gasoline dropped 5 cents this week to $3.70 a gallon, according to the AAA website. Pump prices reached their highest recorded average price on July 17, 2008, at $4.11 per gallon.

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